The family of a 14-year-old boy who was stabbed to death said today he was "murdered in cold blood and deserves a fair chance at justice.”
Jayden Moodie was rammed off his scooter and repeatedly stabbed on Tuesday in what police have called a “cowardly attack”.
Scotland Yard believes a car was used by three men to ram into the youngster before they jumped out and repeatedly stabbed him in Waltham Forest.
Police said they believe the attack was "targeted and intent on lethal force from the outset".
In an emotional statement on Thursday, his family described Jayden's "infectious" personality, his passion for boxing and strenuously denied that he was linked to London's gangs.
Jayden’s cousin Leon Green said: “No one deserves to die in that horrific way.
"He had a keen interest in all kinds of bikes, and loved learning how to fix them. He also loved sports and was due to start at a boxing academy this month.
"His character was infectious and anyone who met him fell in love with his charm. He had a huge heart and would do anything for everyone, especially his family. He will be sincerely missed.
"Jayden was a 14-year-old minor who had his whole life ahead of him, which should never have been viciously taken from him.
"It was very distressing that the majority of reports about Jayden have mentioned London gangs, and I would like to stress that Jayden had recently moved from Nottingham to London and had absolutely no affiliation with gangs.
"Focus needs to be on the fact that he has been brutally murdered in cold blood and deserves a fair chance at justice as much as anyone else in this situation.
"If there are people in our streets that are capable of killing a 14-year-old child, then no-one is safe, and they need to be caught and brought to justice.
"If anyone has any information regarding the incident please come forward and help us get justice for Jayden as no-one deserves to die in that horrific way.
"We take this opportunity to ask people to respect our family's privacy at this difficult time. Thank you everyone and God bless."
Police are now investigating amid claims the aspiring boxer was the victim of a “postcode war” between rival gangs in an area of Leyton, north-east London, notorious for drug dealing.
Relatives and family friends said Jayden, who boxed as a hobby and has been pictured with world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, was born in east London but had been sent to Nottingham to live with his godmother because of concerns about his behaviour.
He split his time between the two cities and is thought to have returned to London about six months ago.
Police yesterday found the Mercedes B Class car thought to have been used in the attack half a mile away in the Carlisle Road area of Leyton.
The car was removed for forensic examination in the hope that the killers left clues to their identity.
Det Chief Supt Richard Tucker, the head of policing in north east London, who spoke of his personal shock at the murder, urged people to come forward with information saying people should be “shock and appalled” by the murder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact incident room on 020 8345 3734 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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